With each new day we see, read, or hear some new slap at Christianity. A lot of it in the name of "political correctness" and "tolerance". Here are two instances recently brought to my attention.
The first was an article from an ActionAlert from American Family Association which was emailed to me by a friend. In the article, it tells of a public official, Robert Smith, who was fired by Maryland governor Robert Ehrlich for making the following comment:
"Homosexual behavior, in my view, is deviant,” he said. “I’m a Roman Catholic.” Smith said he made these comments as part of a discussion on a proposed ban on same-sex marriage. “The comments I make in public outside of my [Metro board job] I’m entitled to make.” Moreover, Smith stated that his personal beliefs “have absolutely nothing to do with running trains and buses and have not affected my actions or decisions on this board."
Apparently, within hours of Smith expressing his personal views in the interview, a fellow board member, Jim Graham who is openly gay, complained via a prepared statement calling for Smith to disavow his remarks - which he didn't - and for Gov. Ehrlich to remove Smith from position - which he did.
So, basically the tolerance or 'freedom of speech' so highly desired by the world isn't to be applied to Christians.
There is an article at CBS entitled "Thought Police Go Too Far" regarding this same story: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/07/10/opinion/main1787969.shtml
Though the previous story may be considered somewhat insignificant, I don't think the next one could be at all.
I received a letter the other day from Answers In Genesis. Having purchased a great creation/evolution DVD series from them, I am now on their mailing list. Here is an excerpt of some news from that letter:
Did you know that many hospitals in Australia are now banning the placement of Bibles in patients' rooms?
Could that ever happen in America?
Are you aware that a well-known Oscar-nominated Hollywood actor recently stated that Bibles should have a disclaimer pasted inside, warning that it's fiction?
Could such stickers ever be placed inside Bibles in America?
Surely not in the land of the free - the nation that was founded on the Bible. But then again, who would have thought 50 years ago that:
* abortion would be legalized...and "gay" marriages would be conducted?
* prayer, Bible, and the teaching of creation would all but be banned from public schools and other government-run places?
* the name of Christ would be increasingly taken out of Christmas?
* there would be threats to take the name of God out of the Pledge of Allegiance, and that prayer would be banned at school graduations?
* the Ten Commandments and nativity scenes would be removed from public places? ... and the list goes on and on!
There's no doubt that Christians are becomming marginalized in America.
Friend, someone actually has begun placing disclaimers in the front of Bibles!
A Delta pilot from Atlanta (and a friend of AiG) found such a sticker in the front of a Gideon Bible placed in a drawer of his Salt Lake City hotel room.
On the next page, you'll see a photo of the actual sticker.
[This book contains religious stories regarding the origin of living things. The stories aare theories, not facts. They are unproven, unprovable and in some cases totally impossible. This material should be approached with an open mind, and a critical eye towards logic and believability.]
There's not telling how many of these stickers have been applied to other Bibles found in hotels (and other places)
As you can read, this anti-Bible sticker is related to the creation/evolution issue.
Now, where did this sticker's wording originate? Look at the sticker below. It was aplied to textbooks in Cobb County, Georgia, where the school board was concerned that science books were presenting evolution as fact to its students.
The board had voted to place stickers in the front of some public school biology textbooks to infom students that evolution should be studied critically.
(You probably remember the controversy that ensued when "civil rights" groups and some county residents objected, and the lawsuit they filed resulted in a judge ordering the stickers to be removed. On appeal, a federal court ruled in May of this year that the case has to be retried for various reasons.)
Here's the actual sticker as it was photographed from a school textbook:
[This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered. Approved by Cobb County Board of Education Thursday, March 28, 2002 ]
As you compare the two stickers, you'll quickly see that the sticker found in the hotel Bible was meant to mirror (mock) the thrust of the textbook sticker.
Such mockery just illustrates again that the creation/evolution controversy is really a foundational issue in the battle between secular humanism and Christianity.
At the rate things are going in America, I must admit: it wouldn't surprise me if some liberal judges would begin mandating that such stickers be placed in Bibles.
In this vein, The Da Vinci Code movie is permeating the culture with another blatant, anti-Christian propaganda message (though it's a work of fiction).
One of its stars, Ian McKellen, a well-known gay activist/fundraiser (he also played Gandalf in the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy), answered a question about the movie on NBC-TV's Today Show (May 17).
Here's the exchange:
NBC reporter Matt Lauer: "How would you have felt if there was a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie? WOuld it have been okay with you?"
McKellen: "Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water? It takes an act of faith and I have faith in this movie - not that it's true - not that it's factual - but that it's a jolly good story. ..." [emphasis added]
Not long after this explosive enterview, I read some Australian newspaper articles that reported on a number of hospitals that were basically banning Bibles from being placed in rooms.
Australia's national newspaper, The Australian (akin to USA Today), reported:
The banning of bibles in Queensland and Victorian hospitals was political correctness gone crazy, Health minister Tony Abbott says ...
Gideons International, which supplies bibles to hospitals and hotels worldwide, said it has been banned from leaving bibles at several Queensland hospitals to prevent giving offence to non-Christian patiens [May 24, 2006]
A Catholic news source in Australia reported:
Almost all of Melbourne's main hospitals have withdrawn Bibles ...
In Brisbane ... the Royal Brisbane and Women's and Princess Alexandra hospitals are among the first to stop the Gideon's testaments being left in patiens' bedside talbes. Staff said the Bibles were no longer in keeping with the "multicultural approach to chalpaincy."
Both news sources stated the Bibles could be a source of infection! One said:
It is also an infection-control measure ... some claimed the Bibles were removed because they were a source of infection. Hospital spokeswoman Tanya Logegeier said: "If someone has a cold or anything and uses the Bible, their germs could be passed on to the next person who reads it."
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Monday, June 05, 2006
Spiritual Darwin Award
Lion Kills Man Who Climbed Into Cage at Ukrainian Zoo
Monday, June 05, 2006
KIEV, Ukraine — A lion killed a man who climbed into its enclosure in the Ukrainian capital's zoo, police said Monday.
The lion attacked the 45-year-old Ukrainian late Sunday after he used a rope to climb down into an enclosure with four lions, said Kiev police spokesman Volodymyr Polishchuk.
He said the man, who was not identified, was acting aggressively and the lion seized him by the throat. The man, an ethnic Azerbaijani, died at the scene.
Ukrainian TV channel NTN broadcast interviews with witnesses who said the man told them that he wanted to test God, believing that God would not allow the lions to hurt him.
Zoo officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Deu 6:16
Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted [him] in Massah.
Monday, June 05, 2006
KIEV, Ukraine — A lion killed a man who climbed into its enclosure in the Ukrainian capital's zoo, police said Monday.
The lion attacked the 45-year-old Ukrainian late Sunday after he used a rope to climb down into an enclosure with four lions, said Kiev police spokesman Volodymyr Polishchuk.
He said the man, who was not identified, was acting aggressively and the lion seized him by the throat. The man, an ethnic Azerbaijani, died at the scene.
Ukrainian TV channel NTN broadcast interviews with witnesses who said the man told them that he wanted to test God, believing that God would not allow the lions to hurt him.
Zoo officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Deu 6:16
Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted [him] in Massah.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
The Favor of God
The favor God gives to whom He will... fascinates me. Obviously He has favored most everyone here on this blog - and hopefully those who just read.
Noah - favored out of a pit of humanity and moral decay.
Joseph - favored out of a literal pit - and a disfunctional family.
Moses - favored out of bondage.
Job - favored beyond spiritual attack.
Esther - favored out of extreme racism.
Ruth - favored out of poverty.
David - favored out of the field.
Daniel - favored throughout captivity.
Nehemiah - favored through adverse working conditions.
Paul - favored through shipwreck and persecution.
All this obvious favor, yet who would we dare trade places with?
Noah - favored out of a pit of humanity and moral decay.
Joseph - favored out of a literal pit - and a disfunctional family.
Moses - favored out of bondage.
Job - favored beyond spiritual attack.
Esther - favored out of extreme racism.
Ruth - favored out of poverty.
David - favored out of the field.
Daniel - favored throughout captivity.
Nehemiah - favored through adverse working conditions.
Paul - favored through shipwreck and persecution.
All this obvious favor, yet who would we dare trade places with?
Friday, May 26, 2006
Into Eternity
[Discussion begins already in progress...]
It boggles the mind. I can't even begin to understand. 1,000 years with Satan bound in chains, Christ on an earthly throne. I can't even imagine how the world would be. Just how bad could people be without Satanic influence? I know they can be easily led, and once Satan is released for a final season before being cast into the Lake of Fire, many will fall right back into line with their evil and sinful ways.
But how would the world be during His reign? Death isn't thrown into the Lake of Fire until later, so will there be death among the ranks of the lost during the reign? Inquiring minds want to know...
It boggles the mind. I can't even begin to understand. 1,000 years with Satan bound in chains, Christ on an earthly throne. I can't even imagine how the world would be. Just how bad could people be without Satanic influence? I know they can be easily led, and once Satan is released for a final season before being cast into the Lake of Fire, many will fall right back into line with their evil and sinful ways.
But how would the world be during His reign? Death isn't thrown into the Lake of Fire until later, so will there be death among the ranks of the lost during the reign? Inquiring minds want to know...
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
What a Day for Headlines!
COVINGTON, Georgia (AP) -- A driver ran over three young children and two women in the parking lot of a McDonald's restaurant Tuesday, police said. One witness described the man as having a smile on his face.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Police are searching the Kansas City area Wednesday for a couple accused of raping, beating and strangling a 41-year-old woman and burying her in a shallow grave.
SAN FRANCISCO — A woman accused of murdering her three young sons by tossing them into frigid San Francisco Bay was due back in court on Wednesday after saying God summoned her to sacrifice her children, her lawyer said.
GARY, Ind. — A male student who has worn women's clothes to school all year was turned away from his high school prom because he was wearing a dress.
Taking Cheap Shots at Jesus
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
By Neil Cavuto (FOX News)
You wanna make a quick buck? Take a cheap shot at Jesus.
Just ask Dan Brown. Just ask Madonna. — Both have built careers on tearing Jesus down, even as they make outlandish stuff up!
I'm not here to refute "The Da Vinci Code" point by point; just to make this point: Jesus, a good man, and for many, a good Savior, is good material for writers who can't bother with the truth. And aging rock stars who can't handle the truth.
In an age we like to shock to score, going after Jesus, gosh, even thinking you "are" Jesus, is the Hail Mary of financial touchdowns.
It gets people talking, and marching, and protesting. But it keeps otherwise insipid movies alive, and pointless careers afloat. They thrive not on the brilliance of their points, but the controversy of their actions.
Leave it to man these days to think he is remotely capable of judging perhaps the greatest whoever walked this planet of all days. We are that arrogant. That dismissive. That revolting. But mostly that hypocritical. Cautiously avoiding offending Muslims over harmless cartoons of Muhammad, but thinking nothing of insulting Christianity by making a mockery of Jesus.
Going after Muhammad...sacrilege.
Dissing Christ...score.
There's no doubt trashing Jesus will create a buzz for your wallet.
I sometimes wonder whether all that rings hollow in something else. Your soul.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Police are searching the Kansas City area Wednesday for a couple accused of raping, beating and strangling a 41-year-old woman and burying her in a shallow grave.
SAN FRANCISCO — A woman accused of murdering her three young sons by tossing them into frigid San Francisco Bay was due back in court on Wednesday after saying God summoned her to sacrifice her children, her lawyer said.
GARY, Ind. — A male student who has worn women's clothes to school all year was turned away from his high school prom because he was wearing a dress.
Taking Cheap Shots at Jesus
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
By Neil Cavuto (FOX News)
You wanna make a quick buck? Take a cheap shot at Jesus.
Just ask Dan Brown. Just ask Madonna. — Both have built careers on tearing Jesus down, even as they make outlandish stuff up!
I'm not here to refute "The Da Vinci Code" point by point; just to make this point: Jesus, a good man, and for many, a good Savior, is good material for writers who can't bother with the truth. And aging rock stars who can't handle the truth.
In an age we like to shock to score, going after Jesus, gosh, even thinking you "are" Jesus, is the Hail Mary of financial touchdowns.
It gets people talking, and marching, and protesting. But it keeps otherwise insipid movies alive, and pointless careers afloat. They thrive not on the brilliance of their points, but the controversy of their actions.
Leave it to man these days to think he is remotely capable of judging perhaps the greatest whoever walked this planet of all days. We are that arrogant. That dismissive. That revolting. But mostly that hypocritical. Cautiously avoiding offending Muslims over harmless cartoons of Muhammad, but thinking nothing of insulting Christianity by making a mockery of Jesus.
Going after Muhammad...sacrilege.
Dissing Christ...score.
There's no doubt trashing Jesus will create a buzz for your wallet.
I sometimes wonder whether all that rings hollow in something else. Your soul.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
The Security of Bondage
Israel was complaining continually to God in Egypt - lamenting in many cases. The brick-making was difficult and then the straw supply stopped. Things were getting worse. God sent His redemption plan. Place the blood on the door and wait until the angel passes, then be ready to leave in a big hurry.
Marking the door was easy. Kill the lamb, mark the door, eat, keep the suitcase packed. Easy. Move out of town - in a hurry - don't look back - not easy. We all know it was not long before the Israelites were missing their fish and garlic, and the security of knowing what their day held, even if it was hard, miserable work.
We all vie for freedom. Ever been a teenager? Want to be about of the house where there is nobody to tell you when to get off the phone and turn out the lights? It's an attractive thing, until the freedom hits you. Paying for the phone, the lights, the food, the HOUSE... not easy.
Not that this is a bad thing. God sent His SON - Jesus - to grant us just such a freedom. It's not easy. After we apply the blood, then we have to be prepared to MOVE. There is no place for a comfort zone.
This applies to jobs. Even if it's time to move, we prefer to sit and put up with the mondain, or abusive, or unhealthy - simply because we are familiar with it. This applies to relationships. People want to be in a relationship, even if it is not beneficial. It's that attractive idea, again. Lets face it... it applies to everything. We talk ourselves into thinking that the 20% we had back in Egypt is bigger than the 80% we have now. It's TD Jakes 80/20 rule.
The grass is always greener, the bathrooms always cleaner...
Marking the door was easy. Kill the lamb, mark the door, eat, keep the suitcase packed. Easy. Move out of town - in a hurry - don't look back - not easy. We all know it was not long before the Israelites were missing their fish and garlic, and the security of knowing what their day held, even if it was hard, miserable work.
We all vie for freedom. Ever been a teenager? Want to be about of the house where there is nobody to tell you when to get off the phone and turn out the lights? It's an attractive thing, until the freedom hits you. Paying for the phone, the lights, the food, the HOUSE... not easy.
Not that this is a bad thing. God sent His SON - Jesus - to grant us just such a freedom. It's not easy. After we apply the blood, then we have to be prepared to MOVE. There is no place for a comfort zone.
This applies to jobs. Even if it's time to move, we prefer to sit and put up with the mondain, or abusive, or unhealthy - simply because we are familiar with it. This applies to relationships. People want to be in a relationship, even if it is not beneficial. It's that attractive idea, again. Lets face it... it applies to everything. We talk ourselves into thinking that the 20% we had back in Egypt is bigger than the 80% we have now. It's TD Jakes 80/20 rule.
The grass is always greener, the bathrooms always cleaner...
Monday, May 22, 2006
Mingled Seed
Leviticus 19:19 (King James Version)
19Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.
I had always questioned this verse. It seemed nonsensical to me. The theme is continually drilled throughout scripture, however. It's everywhere. From the beginning, we see that the seed of the serpent and the Seed of the woman are at war. Those seeds won't mix...
The parable of the wheat and the tares is a continuation of this. The enemy comes and sows a wild seed in amongst the good seed. The master of the field says "Leave it - i'll sort it out at harvest time." It's a fascinating truth that applies to wheat farming. A Kansas wheat farmer said that he, too, would leave the tares until harvest. They're easy to see, because the real wheat that bore fruit (grains on the head) are top heavy. When the wind blows (Holy Spirit) the heads will bow. The tares stand straight up! The enemy tries to corrupt the crop.
We are not to yoke ourselves unequally. This produces a corrupt fruit. It's mixing seed! Israel was not to inter-marry, although they did at times. They paid a heavy price. I'll have more on this as I learn from my reading.
19Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.
I had always questioned this verse. It seemed nonsensical to me. The theme is continually drilled throughout scripture, however. It's everywhere. From the beginning, we see that the seed of the serpent and the Seed of the woman are at war. Those seeds won't mix...
The parable of the wheat and the tares is a continuation of this. The enemy comes and sows a wild seed in amongst the good seed. The master of the field says "Leave it - i'll sort it out at harvest time." It's a fascinating truth that applies to wheat farming. A Kansas wheat farmer said that he, too, would leave the tares until harvest. They're easy to see, because the real wheat that bore fruit (grains on the head) are top heavy. When the wind blows (Holy Spirit) the heads will bow. The tares stand straight up! The enemy tries to corrupt the crop.
We are not to yoke ourselves unequally. This produces a corrupt fruit. It's mixing seed! Israel was not to inter-marry, although they did at times. They paid a heavy price. I'll have more on this as I learn from my reading.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Falling Short
To live like Christ, as all of you know, is difficult at best. It seems every time I think I have a handle on a particular aspect of His life, I lose perspective and find myself on a very un-Christ-like side of the fence.
A big for-instance: the Iranian nuclear showdown. I have a huge dislike for the Iranian leadership. I find them annoying, idiotic, and insulting. Every time the Iranian president runs his mouth off - and it is often - I find myself hoping he will attempt a move on Israel so that we can test the 'smoking hole' theory. On the other hand, I know that there are Christians in Iran. To boot, Iran is a nation of moderate, peaceful Muslims who protest the way their radical leaders run the country. These are people who are gracious, and would be open to relationships with westerners - even Christians. I'm somewhat hypocritical. So I find myself asking God not to wipe out Iran, but have mercy on its lost population. Is this not a maturation? I'm getting a handle on it, right?
Nope. I learn of scientists in Norway... or Sweden... who have decided they have found the oldest substance known to man. Petrified worm feces... I don't know how old they said it was. A billion years? It's stupid. It's so stupid that the liberal, agnostic scientific community is saying it's stupid. It's just as insulting to me and my faith that others go to such lengths to disprove our origin - our Creator. I've come full circle. I'm back to wishing ILL upon these dolts. Erase past progress... back to square one.
It's even more depressing for deeper reasons. I realize that these people are embracing their stupidity in order to defy God and His laws. I see it. I condemn that act. On the other hand, I don't want to love these people. In many cases, I refuse to do it. I see my belligerence, and I condemn that attitude... but I still fail to love - depending on my mood or the time of day. I'm still so far from being like Christ that all I can do is marvel at Him and what He overcame by dying - even for those who hate Him.
A big for-instance: the Iranian nuclear showdown. I have a huge dislike for the Iranian leadership. I find them annoying, idiotic, and insulting. Every time the Iranian president runs his mouth off - and it is often - I find myself hoping he will attempt a move on Israel so that we can test the 'smoking hole' theory. On the other hand, I know that there are Christians in Iran. To boot, Iran is a nation of moderate, peaceful Muslims who protest the way their radical leaders run the country. These are people who are gracious, and would be open to relationships with westerners - even Christians. I'm somewhat hypocritical. So I find myself asking God not to wipe out Iran, but have mercy on its lost population. Is this not a maturation? I'm getting a handle on it, right?
Nope. I learn of scientists in Norway... or Sweden... who have decided they have found the oldest substance known to man. Petrified worm feces... I don't know how old they said it was. A billion years? It's stupid. It's so stupid that the liberal, agnostic scientific community is saying it's stupid. It's just as insulting to me and my faith that others go to such lengths to disprove our origin - our Creator. I've come full circle. I'm back to wishing ILL upon these dolts. Erase past progress... back to square one.
It's even more depressing for deeper reasons. I realize that these people are embracing their stupidity in order to defy God and His laws. I see it. I condemn that act. On the other hand, I don't want to love these people. In many cases, I refuse to do it. I see my belligerence, and I condemn that attitude... but I still fail to love - depending on my mood or the time of day. I'm still so far from being like Christ that all I can do is marvel at Him and what He overcame by dying - even for those who hate Him.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Raisin' the dead
Dave Reagan (of Lamb and Lion ministry: http://www.lamblion.com/ ) talks about multiple raptures. (Rapture discussion available on video download)
First rapture: Christ was the first fruits, raised from the dead, and caught back up to heaven as the disciples watched as described in Acts 1: 9.
* And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Second rapture: 1 Thess 4: 16, 17 reference where the "dead in Christ", those who looked to Christ (His Church/Bride) will rise first, then we (the living of the Church/Bride) will meet Him in the air.
* For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
* Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Third rapture: After the Tribulation, the Old Testament saints will be raised (Daniel 12:1, 2) - some to everlasting life, some to everlasting shame.
* And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
* And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.
While trying to find that Daniel reference, I came upon a site trying to refute the multiple rapture claiming that Daniel 12:1, 2 refutes it. But as I read that verse, it seems to me that it reads as both redeemed and lost are raised at the same time.
Now, my one question has become two.
The first: If the OT saints are waiting to be raptured, how were Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus on the Mt. of transfiguration?
The second: What's your take on multiple raptures?
(As an aside, Dave asked his partner, Dennis Pollack, if he could explain why Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. Dennis said that it was Moses representing the Law, and Elijah representing the Prophets, and showing that Jesus was above both of them. And God the Father clarified it, after Peter offered to raise temples to all three, with His declaration, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!")
First rapture: Christ was the first fruits, raised from the dead, and caught back up to heaven as the disciples watched as described in Acts 1: 9.
* And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Second rapture: 1 Thess 4: 16, 17 reference where the "dead in Christ", those who looked to Christ (His Church/Bride) will rise first, then we (the living of the Church/Bride) will meet Him in the air.
* For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
* Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Third rapture: After the Tribulation, the Old Testament saints will be raised (Daniel 12:1, 2) - some to everlasting life, some to everlasting shame.
* And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
* And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt.
While trying to find that Daniel reference, I came upon a site trying to refute the multiple rapture claiming that Daniel 12:1, 2 refutes it. But as I read that verse, it seems to me that it reads as both redeemed and lost are raised at the same time.
Now, my one question has become two.
The first: If the OT saints are waiting to be raptured, how were Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus on the Mt. of transfiguration?
The second: What's your take on multiple raptures?
(As an aside, Dave asked his partner, Dennis Pollack, if he could explain why Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus. Dennis said that it was Moses representing the Law, and Elijah representing the Prophets, and showing that Jesus was above both of them. And God the Father clarified it, after Peter offered to raise temples to all three, with His declaration, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him!")
Monday, May 15, 2006
Further Shaping of End-time Events
U.S. to restore relations with Libya
From Elise Labott
CNN
Monday, May 15, 2006; Posted: 11:53 a.m. EDT (15:53 GMT)
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi attends an African leaders' summit in Sudan in January.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States will restore full diplomatic relations with Libya and remove the North African country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, the State Department announced Monday.
This is interesting because Daniel names 3 of the 10 countries that will be part of the antichrist's empire. The three named are Egypt, Ethiopia, and Libya. Why these three? Probably because they ride the fence, trying to be 'moderate' Islamic nations. This would never fly in the eyes of a hardline islamic dictator. Renewing relations with the west is not looked upon favorably. In addition, there are enough hardline citizens within these countries to support a coup.
Egypt has been considered moderate ever since Anwar Sadat, a lead well-liked by the west, which got him assassinated. Ethiopia may simply be so anarchic that they lend themselves to being conquered.
From Elise Labott
CNN
Monday, May 15, 2006; Posted: 11:53 a.m. EDT (15:53 GMT)
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi attends an African leaders' summit in Sudan in January.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States will restore full diplomatic relations with Libya and remove the North African country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, the State Department announced Monday.
This is interesting because Daniel names 3 of the 10 countries that will be part of the antichrist's empire. The three named are Egypt, Ethiopia, and Libya. Why these three? Probably because they ride the fence, trying to be 'moderate' Islamic nations. This would never fly in the eyes of a hardline islamic dictator. Renewing relations with the west is not looked upon favorably. In addition, there are enough hardline citizens within these countries to support a coup.
Egypt has been considered moderate ever since Anwar Sadat, a lead well-liked by the west, which got him assassinated. Ethiopia may simply be so anarchic that they lend themselves to being conquered.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Lying Spirits
In this continued conversation/discussion with myself, I followed up with a bit of research on the AFR daily bible verse from this morning. It was from Proverbs:
Proverbs 15:22
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
I was reminded of another story, found in Kings:
1 Kings 22
20And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
21And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
22And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
Does anyone care to discuss these 'controversial' verses? There is no contradiction, here. The proverb stands true as a proverb. No proverb is 'the rule'. It is what it is - a proverb. The real interest lies in The LORD placing a lying spirit, and the LORD speaking evil concerning... These are translational issues, largely. We know that God will lift His hedge of protection, allowing Satan some leeway (Job). What about this lying spirit? Is this simply an angel in the ranks of the Lord's legions?
Proverbs 15:22
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
I was reminded of another story, found in Kings:
1 Kings 22
20And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
21And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.
22And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.
Does anyone care to discuss these 'controversial' verses? There is no contradiction, here. The proverb stands true as a proverb. No proverb is 'the rule'. It is what it is - a proverb. The real interest lies in The LORD placing a lying spirit, and the LORD speaking evil concerning... These are translational issues, largely. We know that God will lift His hedge of protection, allowing Satan some leeway (Job). What about this lying spirit? Is this simply an angel in the ranks of the Lord's legions?
Monday, May 08, 2006
The Prophecy of the 153 Fish
Sungil and I were discussing this very thing on Thursday night's bible study. Ironically, Perry Stone posts this on his site just a couple of days later. It's very insightful.
The Prophecy of the 153 Fish
Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn (John 21:11).
After 28 years of reading and studying the Scriptures, I am convinced that every word, phrase and number in the Bible is divinely positioned. At times a prophetic clue is hidden within the Scriptures, and must be researched by comparing verse with verse. Such an example is John 21.
In this narrative, Christ had risen from the dead and was with His disciples on the shores of Galilee. The disciples had caught a huge number of fish in a net. They were amazed that the net did not break . . . as had happened on other occasions (see Luke 5:6).
Nowhere in Scripture do we find that fish were counted, except on this occasion. Could a prophetic meaning be hidden within this event, a meaning that could speak to us today?
The Net and the Fish
When searching for Biblical insight, we must always allow the Scriptures to interpret themselves. Jesus told His disciples He would make them “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). In Scripture, the net and the sea can represent the nations of the world. This truth is alluded to in the parable of Matthew 13:47-49:
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 13:47-49).
In this parable, the net and the fish represent the nations of the world that will be separated, the good from the bad, at the end of the age. Saint Jerome, in his commentary on Ezekiel 47, stated that there were 153 different species of fish. He assumed that the 153 fish in John 21 referred to going into the entire world and preaching the gospel to all nations.
On the other hand, Augustine said that 153 is the sum of the numbers 1 through 17. Seventeen is 10 plus 7.
There were 10 sayings that created the world.
There were 10 generations from Adam to Noah.
There were 10 generations from Noah to Abraham.
Further, by taking 153 and breaking down its three primary numbers, we have:
100 (which alludes to the fullness of the Gentiles)
50 (which alludes to the fullness of Israel’s rest)
3 (which alludes to the fullness of the Trinity)
As you can see, 153 is a number that alludes to completeness, or fullness!
Hebrew Gematria
One of the laws of hermeneutics (interpreting the Scripture) among Jewish rabbis is called gematria. It is the root word from which we get the word geometry. Using Hebrew gematria, the letters of the Hebrew alphabet have a numerical value. The alphabet can be interchanged for numbers, and the numbers can be interchanged for the alphabet. This is also true of the Greek alphabet.
In the early church, the fish became a symbol of Christianity. In fact, the fish was probably used long before the Roman emblem of a cross. This fish emblem was called the ICHTHUS. These letters form an acrostic for the words, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. The abbreviation is IXO, and has a numerical value of 153!
With this knowledge, we can see that Jesus was letting them know that He was God’s Son!
The 153 Nations
If we compare Scripture with Scripture, the sea is the world and the fish can allude to the nations of the world. In the parable, a net is cast and the fish are caught. Soon, a separation occurs as the good is separated from the bad.
Could it be that there will be a total of 153 nations at the very end of the age? It is true that the number of nations fluctuate with political movements and as a result of wars. At the conclusion of World War I, the world began to divide into various nations as Russia annexed surrounding countries under the control of the Soviet Union. At that time there were just over 100 nations in the world.
After the conclusion of World War II, divisions among the nations continued. In the late 1980s, Robert Vandermaten contacted someone at the United Nations in order to pinpoint exactly how many nations existed at the time. Imagine his amazement when he discovered there were 153 nations recognized in the world!
Presently, there are well over that number. The United Nations currently recognizes 191 nations. Again, political shifts and amalgamations affect the number. For example, Yugoslavia was once a single nation. Since the fall of Communism in Yugoslavia, the country has been divided into five nations recognized by the U.N.: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
It is important to remember that during the Tribulation, nations will fall under the control of the Antichrist. This will create another shakeup among the nations of the world.
It could be that the 153 fish were a hidden clue, revealing that 153 nations would exist at the end of the age. This seems possible, considering the fact that the primary numbers composing 153 (100, 50, and 3) can allude to Gentile fullness, Israel’s fullness and spiritual fullness.
This is an interesting idea to consider.
Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn (John 21:11).
After 28 years of reading and studying the Scriptures, I am convinced that every word, phrase and number in the Bible is divinely positioned. At times a prophetic clue is hidden within the Scriptures, and must be researched by comparing verse with verse. Such an example is John 21.
In this narrative, Christ had risen from the dead and was with His disciples on the shores of Galilee. The disciples had caught a huge number of fish in a net. They were amazed that the net did not break . . . as had happened on other occasions (see Luke 5:6).
Nowhere in Scripture do we find that fish were counted, except on this occasion. Could a prophetic meaning be hidden within this event, a meaning that could speak to us today?
The Net and the Fish
When searching for Biblical insight, we must always allow the Scriptures to interpret themselves. Jesus told His disciples He would make them “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). In Scripture, the net and the sea can represent the nations of the world. This truth is alluded to in the parable of Matthew 13:47-49:
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 13:47-49).
In this parable, the net and the fish represent the nations of the world that will be separated, the good from the bad, at the end of the age. Saint Jerome, in his commentary on Ezekiel 47, stated that there were 153 different species of fish. He assumed that the 153 fish in John 21 referred to going into the entire world and preaching the gospel to all nations.
On the other hand, Augustine said that 153 is the sum of the numbers 1 through 17. Seventeen is 10 plus 7.
There were 10 sayings that created the world.
There were 10 generations from Adam to Noah.
There were 10 generations from Noah to Abraham.
Further, by taking 153 and breaking down its three primary numbers, we have:
100 (which alludes to the fullness of the Gentiles)
50 (which alludes to the fullness of Israel’s rest)
3 (which alludes to the fullness of the Trinity)
As you can see, 153 is a number that alludes to completeness, or fullness!
Hebrew Gematria
One of the laws of hermeneutics (interpreting the Scripture) among Jewish rabbis is called gematria. It is the root word from which we get the word geometry. Using Hebrew gematria, the letters of the Hebrew alphabet have a numerical value. The alphabet can be interchanged for numbers, and the numbers can be interchanged for the alphabet. This is also true of the Greek alphabet.
In the early church, the fish became a symbol of Christianity. In fact, the fish was probably used long before the Roman emblem of a cross. This fish emblem was called the ICHTHUS. These letters form an acrostic for the words, Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. The abbreviation is IXO, and has a numerical value of 153!
With this knowledge, we can see that Jesus was letting them know that He was God’s Son!
The 153 Nations
If we compare Scripture with Scripture, the sea is the world and the fish can allude to the nations of the world. In the parable, a net is cast and the fish are caught. Soon, a separation occurs as the good is separated from the bad.
Could it be that there will be a total of 153 nations at the very end of the age? It is true that the number of nations fluctuate with political movements and as a result of wars. At the conclusion of World War I, the world began to divide into various nations as Russia annexed surrounding countries under the control of the Soviet Union. At that time there were just over 100 nations in the world.
After the conclusion of World War II, divisions among the nations continued. In the late 1980s, Robert Vandermaten contacted someone at the United Nations in order to pinpoint exactly how many nations existed at the time. Imagine his amazement when he discovered there were 153 nations recognized in the world!
Presently, there are well over that number. The United Nations currently recognizes 191 nations. Again, political shifts and amalgamations affect the number. For example, Yugoslavia was once a single nation. Since the fall of Communism in Yugoslavia, the country has been divided into five nations recognized by the U.N.: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
It is important to remember that during the Tribulation, nations will fall under the control of the Antichrist. This will create another shakeup among the nations of the world.
It could be that the 153 fish were a hidden clue, revealing that 153 nations would exist at the end of the age. This seems possible, considering the fact that the primary numbers composing 153 (100, 50, and 3) can allude to Gentile fullness, Israel’s fullness and spiritual fullness.
This is an interesting idea to consider.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Creation Days
Paralleling the creation days in Genesis to world history is an interesting study. I'm sure the depths of the topic are limitless. Particularly captivating is the creation of light. Sungil and I have spoken of this on many occassions. Light was created on the first day. The sun, moon, and stars were created on the fourth day. So, as SG and I - and probably BrianM have pondered, the light was here before the 'light sources' were here.
So, who is the light? Christ said, I am the Light. Christ came to us on the beginning of the 4th day. The Holy Spirit was there the previous 3,000 years, but the 'light source' appeared on day 4. Also, the moon was created. The church is the moon in scripture, as we are a reflection of the Son (sun). So, what are the stars representative of? We know scripture uses them to represent angels, but these were present before day 4.
Back to Day 4 and the creation of the lights in the firmament. Genesis 1 says the lights were for signs, and seasons, and days, and years. In Jesus' day, the people kept asking Him for a sign. No wonder He was so exasperated with them! HE was the sign! He called them an evil and adulterous generation, and also said that He was a physical representation of the sign of Jonah. Jonah, very representative of the fish, was dead for three days then resurrected upon the beach.
So, we know there was illumination on the first three days, even though the sun, moon, and stars were not yet present.
So, who is the light? Christ said, I am the Light. Christ came to us on the beginning of the 4th day. The Holy Spirit was there the previous 3,000 years, but the 'light source' appeared on day 4. Also, the moon was created. The church is the moon in scripture, as we are a reflection of the Son (sun). So, what are the stars representative of? We know scripture uses them to represent angels, but these were present before day 4.
Back to Day 4 and the creation of the lights in the firmament. Genesis 1 says the lights were for signs, and seasons, and days, and years. In Jesus' day, the people kept asking Him for a sign. No wonder He was so exasperated with them! HE was the sign! He called them an evil and adulterous generation, and also said that He was a physical representation of the sign of Jonah. Jonah, very representative of the fish, was dead for three days then resurrected upon the beach.
So, we know there was illumination on the first three days, even though the sun, moon, and stars were not yet present.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Cold-blooded reptile
In Genesis, the devil appeared in the form of a serpent. Serpent, i've learned, comes from a root word meaning to visually hypnotize. No doubt the devil did this very thing to Eve. (Gen 3:6) "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes..." A snake charmer comes to mind. We see the guys with the tall turbans weaving and bobbing back and forth with their little clarinets... 'charming' the cobra. You notice the eye contact. I really wonder if the snake may be the one attempting to do the charming - by sheer instinct.
In the Revelation, we see the devil again. This time, he is a 7-headed dragon. What in the WORLD has he been eating? We know he searches to and fro, seeking those whom he may devour. Apparently by this time, he has devoured many.
In the Revelation, we see the devil again. This time, he is a 7-headed dragon. What in the WORLD has he been eating? We know he searches to and fro, seeking those whom he may devour. Apparently by this time, he has devoured many.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Red Tide
July 10, 2005
7/11 - Code Red: How come the waters of S. Cal. look funny?
Here's a great article in the latest issue of Surfer magazine that quotes Dr. Peter Franks of Scripps (who gave the greatest guest lecture I've ever witnessed when he came to my biological oceanography class and used nothing but food coloring, water, and a plexiglass tank to make undergrads grasp the most complicated concepts in how phytoplankton blooms occur) explaining why the waters around San Diego lately look so reddish-brown.
"Red waves at morning, surfers take warning?
Monday, May 01, 2006
Hidden Rapture Pictures
Am I obsessed with this? Or is it just so fun and exciting I can't stop? Is there a difference?
When Jesus turned the water into wine, there was so much going on between Himself and His mother, Mary, that most people totally miss it. It never occurred to me that they were having their own conversation. The disciples didn't know what they were talking about. Mary and Jesus had had countless conversations at the fire side, no doubt, and Mary was a spiritual GIANT. They have no wine. Hah! Truly. Do what He tells you, she says...
6 water pots - earthen. Can you get any closer to symbols of man? They were not filled (this is typical, most people aren't filled...). Jesus told the servants to fill them. Then, the water was drawn out (harpazo), at that point, the water becomes wine. The wine is presented to the 'master'. The Master does not know where the wine came from! Interesting, but he picture is awesome. When we are presented before God, He will not 'care' where we came from. That is something WE will know, but HE will not. God will see us as blameless, sinless children. We, however, will remember where we've been and realize the grace and mercy that brought us to that point.
Adam's Rib
Adam is put to sleep and a rib is taken from him. The rib does not become the bride until it is 'taken from the other ribs'. Just as Christ's rib was crushed in on the cross to birth His bride (blood and water gushes out - birth fluids). This goes so much deeper, but I don't know all the cool aspects yet.
Can anyone get the story out of the book of Esther? It's all there.
When Jesus turned the water into wine, there was so much going on between Himself and His mother, Mary, that most people totally miss it. It never occurred to me that they were having their own conversation. The disciples didn't know what they were talking about. Mary and Jesus had had countless conversations at the fire side, no doubt, and Mary was a spiritual GIANT. They have no wine. Hah! Truly. Do what He tells you, she says...
6 water pots - earthen. Can you get any closer to symbols of man? They were not filled (this is typical, most people aren't filled...). Jesus told the servants to fill them. Then, the water was drawn out (harpazo), at that point, the water becomes wine. The wine is presented to the 'master'. The Master does not know where the wine came from! Interesting, but he picture is awesome. When we are presented before God, He will not 'care' where we came from. That is something WE will know, but HE will not. God will see us as blameless, sinless children. We, however, will remember where we've been and realize the grace and mercy that brought us to that point.
Adam's Rib
Adam is put to sleep and a rib is taken from him. The rib does not become the bride until it is 'taken from the other ribs'. Just as Christ's rib was crushed in on the cross to birth His bride (blood and water gushes out - birth fluids). This goes so much deeper, but I don't know all the cool aspects yet.
Can anyone get the story out of the book of Esther? It's all there.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Getting Hit With The "What Ifs..."
Lately, there has been a lot of 'what if' going on in my head. It used to be that evangelical, Bible thumping Christians got a bad wrap for being doomsdayers because the Bible says bad times are on the way. The problem is now that the Christians seem to be the quiet ones. Maybe they are in the dark? Maybe denial? Do Christians know that things are not going to get better before they get worse? Instead, we are getting a lot of doom from the press - liberal or otherwise. I read a WorldNetDaily article about a guy who lost an eye during one of Bin Laden's nuclear tests in Pakistan. The word is, they are waiting for the American Hiroshima after we take some type of action against Iran. Disturbing.
Should it be? God has not given us a spirit of fear. He has given us the scoop on what He is doing. Is that so we'll know we're about to burn, or because 'our redemption draweth nigh'?
A random thought that hit me the other day while watching the previews for the 911 flight movie... I dont recall the name. The odds of 'that' ever happening again arent good. For one thing, the terrorists would have to sneak an aweful lot of people on board a flight to make it work. We, as Americans, as so on edge now that if 5 guys stand up on a plane and say 'this is a hijacking' - kidding or not - the other 200 people on the plane will club them to death with luggage. Wont happen. Could they crash a plane? Yes. Could they crash one into a national emblem/monument? No.. the victims on board would never let it happen again.
Revelation 16:15
"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Matthew 24:43
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
Luke 12:38
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.
Luke 21:36
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Hebrews 9:28
so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Should it be? God has not given us a spirit of fear. He has given us the scoop on what He is doing. Is that so we'll know we're about to burn, or because 'our redemption draweth nigh'?
A random thought that hit me the other day while watching the previews for the 911 flight movie... I dont recall the name. The odds of 'that' ever happening again arent good. For one thing, the terrorists would have to sneak an aweful lot of people on board a flight to make it work. We, as Americans, as so on edge now that if 5 guys stand up on a plane and say 'this is a hijacking' - kidding or not - the other 200 people on the plane will club them to death with luggage. Wont happen. Could they crash a plane? Yes. Could they crash one into a national emblem/monument? No.. the victims on board would never let it happen again.
Revelation 16:15
"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Matthew 24:43
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.
Luke 12:38
It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.
Luke 21:36
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."
Hebrews 9:28
so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
The Da Vinci Crud
The long awaited movie based on Dan Brown's controversial novel, "The Da Vinci Code", will be hitting theaters on May 19th. As you have heard from published reports, the book denies the diety of Christ, fallaciously links Christ and Mary Magdelene through marriage and attributes offspring to them, as well as making other outrageous claims; many of which are not new.
The question is: when the book came out, were we as Christians ready to refute the lies and answer the questions posed by the curious and confused? As a whole, I don't think so. Personally, I know I wasn't. I was asked point blank about some of the claims made in the novel, and had no definitive answer to give.
The follow-up question is: when the movie comes out, are we as Christians going to be ready to refute the lies and answer the questions posed by the curious and confused? There are plenty of books, videos, pamplets, websites, etc popping up all over the place in preparation of the theatrical release. There are answers we can give. Are we ready? Let's get ready!
The question is: when the book came out, were we as Christians ready to refute the lies and answer the questions posed by the curious and confused? As a whole, I don't think so. Personally, I know I wasn't. I was asked point blank about some of the claims made in the novel, and had no definitive answer to give.
The follow-up question is: when the movie comes out, are we as Christians going to be ready to refute the lies and answer the questions posed by the curious and confused? There are plenty of books, videos, pamplets, websites, etc popping up all over the place in preparation of the theatrical release. There are answers we can give. Are we ready? Let's get ready!
Today's Headlines
Iran Threatens to Hide Its Nuclear Program
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Doesn't this defeat the purpose, somewhat? I think i've put my finger on something that has purplexed me to this point, and now it's just growing into a dull fascination. When we read the accounts of the last days in the Bible and cipher the details of the final world empire, apostate church, and evil world leaders, we expect to face a certain amount of cunning. In the least, a good dastardly plan. I'm now seeing the picture take form without any intellect behind it whatsoever. It's blatant evil. It's stupidity enmasse against God. Truthfully, there is intellect and cunning behind it, but it is strictly demonic. Everyone else on the 'dark side' are fitting the stereotypical 'pawn' mold.
Indicted Duke Lacrosse Player in D.C. Court for Separate Assault Charge
There isnt a lot to be said about this, other than we Americans are also willing to be stupid, and stupid in public. How hard is it to lay low?
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Doesn't this defeat the purpose, somewhat? I think i've put my finger on something that has purplexed me to this point, and now it's just growing into a dull fascination. When we read the accounts of the last days in the Bible and cipher the details of the final world empire, apostate church, and evil world leaders, we expect to face a certain amount of cunning. In the least, a good dastardly plan. I'm now seeing the picture take form without any intellect behind it whatsoever. It's blatant evil. It's stupidity enmasse against God. Truthfully, there is intellect and cunning behind it, but it is strictly demonic. Everyone else on the 'dark side' are fitting the stereotypical 'pawn' mold.
Indicted Duke Lacrosse Player in D.C. Court for Separate Assault Charge
There isnt a lot to be said about this, other than we Americans are also willing to be stupid, and stupid in public. How hard is it to lay low?
Minibus Bomb Kills Two, Wounds Three in Baghdad
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Eight Dead in Homicide Attacks on Sri Lanka's Top Commander
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
3 Arrested in Egyptian Resort Bombings
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Friday, April 21, 2006
Far out!
Huge Ice Chunks Fall from Sky, Mystify Scientists
Twice in one week large chunks of ice have inexplicably fallen from the sky in California, leaving experts mystified.
In Loma Linda, Calif., Thursday a chunk of ice the size of a microwave oven came crashing through the roof of a recreation center, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The ice then fragmented into several opaque, white chunks. No one was injured in the incident. ...world net daily
Twice in one week large chunks of ice have inexplicably fallen from the sky in California, leaving experts mystified.
In Loma Linda, Calif., Thursday a chunk of ice the size of a microwave oven came crashing through the roof of a recreation center, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The ice then fragmented into several opaque, white chunks. No one was injured in the incident. ...world net daily
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Simon the leper
For the last few days, I have been doing a comparitive study of the 4 Gospels to see if it could be determined what day Christ was crucified (as study is still in progress, look for that posting in the near future).
During the study however, the story of a woman annointing Jesus at a supper in Bethany brought a question to mind. It is just speculation and I can't see absolute proof, but it got me wondering: was Simon the Leper the father of Judas Iscariot?
Mark 14:1-8
After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put [him] to death. But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar of the people. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured [it] on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
John 12:1-7
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
(The passage in Matthew 26 echoes Mark's telling very closely)
Notice in Mark, Jesus is in Bethany 2 days before Passover. In John, He is in Bethany 6 days before Passover. Then both tell of the same story. When I first read it, I assumed that these were two different nights, one spent at Lazarus' house, and one spent at Simon the leper's house. But with the exact same story, with the same questions and answers given, and it only being within a 4 day window - I realized it had to be the same setting.
Mark identifies the location as Simon the leper's house. John states that Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are with Jesus and that Martha serves. Jesus is annointed (head in Mark, feet in John) with an ointment of spikenard by a woman who is unidentified by Mark but is identified as Mary by John. Then the same question is asked "Why wasn't it sold for 300 pence?", and the same answer is given "Let her alone; she annoints me against the day of my burial."
While Simon is identified in Mark, John identifies Judas as Simon's son. Now, it is quite possible that Judas' father is a different Simon, since it was a common name, but John's text oddly identifies him as "Simon's son" in the retelling of this story. Just curious about that identification at that moment.
During the study however, the story of a woman annointing Jesus at a supper in Bethany brought a question to mind. It is just speculation and I can't see absolute proof, but it got me wondering: was Simon the Leper the father of Judas Iscariot?
Mark 14:1-8
After two days was [the feast of] the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put [him] to death. But they said, Not on the feast [day], lest there be an uproar of the people. And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured [it] on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
John 12:1-7
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's [son], which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.
(The passage in Matthew 26 echoes Mark's telling very closely)
Notice in Mark, Jesus is in Bethany 2 days before Passover. In John, He is in Bethany 6 days before Passover. Then both tell of the same story. When I first read it, I assumed that these were two different nights, one spent at Lazarus' house, and one spent at Simon the leper's house. But with the exact same story, with the same questions and answers given, and it only being within a 4 day window - I realized it had to be the same setting.
Mark identifies the location as Simon the leper's house. John states that Martha, Mary, and Lazarus are with Jesus and that Martha serves. Jesus is annointed (head in Mark, feet in John) with an ointment of spikenard by a woman who is unidentified by Mark but is identified as Mary by John. Then the same question is asked "Why wasn't it sold for 300 pence?", and the same answer is given "Let her alone; she annoints me against the day of my burial."
While Simon is identified in Mark, John identifies Judas as Simon's son. Now, it is quite possible that Judas' father is a different Simon, since it was a common name, but John's text oddly identifies him as "Simon's son" in the retelling of this story. Just curious about that identification at that moment.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The Great Initiation
Isn't it interesting that for the past few years, Americans in particular are being primed for disaster? For instance, the new Discover/Weather.com series It Could Happen Tomorrow: a show about biblically proportioned disasters striking modern cities. I watch the weather channel quite a lot - it's not 'as' depressing as the syndicated news channels. In a half-hour period, i'll hear 'It Could Happen Tomorrow' two or three times. Satan is numbing us to the coming judgements that ARE coming - maybe even tomorrow. But when they happen, people are going to think of the Discover channel and the warnings they've heard out of the newspapers, trumpeting the dangers of big industry and global warming. NO WONDER, when the seals are being opened and meteors are crashing into the seas the Revelation says people will curse God and not repent. NO WONDER, because they arent even associating natural disaster with the consequence of sin. They will never realize, God warned them this would happen long before the Discover channel. Mix this, too, with a downplaying of all of it. It 'wont be that bad'. We all 'underestimate the will and ability of man to survive'. Here is a headline that has been running on FoxNews (the most conservative of News services) for a while now: Twenty Years After Chernobyl. This article unveils the Chernobyl incident as a greatly overdramatized event - one in which the world went way over the deep end. After all, "As of mid-2005, fewer than 50 deaths were attributed to radiation from the accident". But for some unexplicable reason "Ukraine's government appears to be on board with the casualty inflation game". Could it be that the little report is such a hoax that nobody with a hint of sanity or a smidge of insight about the severity of the disaster would ever believe such stupid science? Apocalyptic times are on the way. Americans are currently in school learning to downplay events, or at the very least blame them on the president.
Monday, April 17, 2006
Deeply Buried Excitement
Reading the news day after day, the year 2006 to me is markedly more violent and hateful than any previous year, including 2001. Now it seems the enemy is not only a few select foreigners bent on taking down Jews and Christians. Demonic activity has taken a leap in recent days on our own soil. Why would this be so? We know in scripture that the further from God we get, the closer to the habitation of demons we will be.
So what is the mission for Christians? Daniel would have hit his knees and started intercession for the evil in his country. Somehow I dont believe Christians are primed for this. Instead, we are NUMBED to the point of disinterest. For a split second, we are appalled, and then the sports headlines catch our eye. The truth of the matter is, if Christians cannot stand in the gap on issues just like this, then this nation is heading for an incredibly quick demise. Strange that it should boil down to us, isn't it?
The news today spoke of a young man who lured a young girl into his appartment (perhaps forcably brought her) where he proceeded to rape, torture, then kill her. He then began to dismember her with the intension of further sexual activity with the corpse, and then finally plans to eat the body. Demonic? In other news... a man who has a grudge against his neighbor traps her cat, takes it to the animal shelter and has it euthanized. What is the difference between these two people? Personally, I think one was not afraid of getting caught, the other was. When a man has that much hatred towards their neighbor, it seems as though we have left the bounds of human-generated animosity. I do hate to underestimate the human capacity for evil. God knows we are not a nice lot.
The Bible says in Luke 17: 26"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.
28"It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.
So what is the mission for Christians? Daniel would have hit his knees and started intercession for the evil in his country. Somehow I dont believe Christians are primed for this. Instead, we are NUMBED to the point of disinterest. For a split second, we are appalled, and then the sports headlines catch our eye. The truth of the matter is, if Christians cannot stand in the gap on issues just like this, then this nation is heading for an incredibly quick demise. Strange that it should boil down to us, isn't it?
Friday, April 14, 2006
Dying Tree of Israel?
Iran President: Israel Will Be Annihilated
Friday, April 14, 2006
TEHRAN, Iran — The president of Iran again lashed out at Israel on Friday and said it was "heading toward annihilation," just days after Tehran raised fears about its nuclear activities by saying it successfully enriched uranium for the first time.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Israel a "permanent threat" to the Middle East that will "soon" be liberated. He also appeared to again question whether the Holocaust really happened.
"Like it or not, the Zionist regime is heading toward annihilation," Ahmadinejad said at the opening of a conference in support of the Palestinians. "The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm."
Ahmadinejad provoked a world outcry in October when he said Israel should be "wiped off the map."
On Friday, he repeated his previous line on the Holocaust, saying: "If such a disaster is true, why should the people of this region pay the price? Why does the Palestinian nation have to be suppressed and have its land occupied?"
The land of Palestine, he said, referring to the British mandated territory that includes all of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, "will be freed soon."
He did not say how this would be achieved, but insisted to the audience of at least 900 people: "Believe that Palestine will be freed soon."
"The existence of this (Israeli) regime is a permanent threat" to the Middle East, he added. "Its existence has harmed the dignity of Islamic nations."
The three-day conference on Palestine is being attended by officials of Hamas, the ruling party in the Palestinian territories.
Iran has previously said it will give money to the Palestinian Authority to make up for the withdrawal of donations by Western nations who object to Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel and renounce violence. But no figure has been published.
On Tuesday, Ahmadinejad announced that Iran had successfully enriched uranium using a battery of 164 centrifuges, a significant step toward the large-scale production of enriched uranium required for either fueling nuclear reactors or making nuclear weapons.
The United States, France and Israel accuse Iran of using a civilian nuclear program to secretly build a weapon. Iran denies this, saying its program is confined to generating electricity.
The U.N. Security Council has given Iran until April 28 to cease enrichment. But Iran has rejected the demand.
The chief of Israeli military intelligence, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, was quoted Wednesday as saying Iran could develop a nuclear bomb "within three years, by the end of the decade."
Friday, April 14, 2006
TEHRAN, Iran — The president of Iran again lashed out at Israel on Friday and said it was "heading toward annihilation," just days after Tehran raised fears about its nuclear activities by saying it successfully enriched uranium for the first time.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Israel a "permanent threat" to the Middle East that will "soon" be liberated. He also appeared to again question whether the Holocaust really happened.
"Like it or not, the Zionist regime is heading toward annihilation," Ahmadinejad said at the opening of a conference in support of the Palestinians. "The Zionist regime is a rotten, dried tree that will be eliminated by one storm."
Ahmadinejad provoked a world outcry in October when he said Israel should be "wiped off the map."
On Friday, he repeated his previous line on the Holocaust, saying: "If such a disaster is true, why should the people of this region pay the price? Why does the Palestinian nation have to be suppressed and have its land occupied?"
The land of Palestine, he said, referring to the British mandated territory that includes all of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, "will be freed soon."
He did not say how this would be achieved, but insisted to the audience of at least 900 people: "Believe that Palestine will be freed soon."
"The existence of this (Israeli) regime is a permanent threat" to the Middle East, he added. "Its existence has harmed the dignity of Islamic nations."
The three-day conference on Palestine is being attended by officials of Hamas, the ruling party in the Palestinian territories.
Iran has previously said it will give money to the Palestinian Authority to make up for the withdrawal of donations by Western nations who object to Hamas' refusal to recognize Israel and renounce violence. But no figure has been published.
On Tuesday, Ahmadinejad announced that Iran had successfully enriched uranium using a battery of 164 centrifuges, a significant step toward the large-scale production of enriched uranium required for either fueling nuclear reactors or making nuclear weapons.
The United States, France and Israel accuse Iran of using a civilian nuclear program to secretly build a weapon. Iran denies this, saying its program is confined to generating electricity.
The U.N. Security Council has given Iran until April 28 to cease enrichment. But Iran has rejected the demand.
The chief of Israeli military intelligence, Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin, was quoted Wednesday as saying Iran could develop a nuclear bomb "within three years, by the end of the decade."
First of all, IF I were going to try to eliminate Israel, I would at least exercise a penny's worth of human wisdom and keep my mouth shut about it. But, lacking the penny, this idiot is advertising to the entire world his plan of annihilation of arguably the most powerful nation in the world. Keep in mind, Israel isn't just powerful, they have a prince set guard over them by God. From a purely human perspective - which is the least of all perspectives - they are a massive grizzley mamma backed into a corner protecting her cubs against an aspiring poodle, Iran. That is not to say that Iran is not growing in power, but at the moment, they are wingless ducks in the birdbath.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Zechariah 14:12
Zechariah 14:12 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
April 13, 2006
New International Version (NIV)
12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths.
April 13, 2006
Iran Could Produce Nuclear Bomb in 16 Days
Iran, defying United Nations Security Council demands to halt its nuclear program, may be capable of making a nuclear bomb within 16 days, a U.S. State Department official said.
Iran will move to ``industrial scale'' uranium enrichment involving 54,000 centrifuges at its Natanz plant, the Associated Press quoted deputy nuclear chief Mohammad Saeedi as telling state-run television today.
"Using those 50,000 centrifuges they could produce enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon in 16 days,'' Stephen Rademaker, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, told reporters today in Moscow. ...bloomberg
Iran, defying United Nations Security Council demands to halt its nuclear program, may be capable of making a nuclear bomb within 16 days, a U.S. State Department official said.
Iran will move to ``industrial scale'' uranium enrichment involving 54,000 centrifuges at its Natanz plant, the Associated Press quoted deputy nuclear chief Mohammad Saeedi as telling state-run television today.
"Using those 50,000 centrifuges they could produce enough highly enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon in 16 days,'' Stephen Rademaker, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation, told reporters today in Moscow. ...bloomberg
World Condemns Iran for Enriching Uranium
The world’s leading powers today joined in a chorus of condemnation of Iran for advancing its atomic programme in defiance of the United Nations.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President, declared yesterday that Iran had produced its first batch of enriched uranium and would now press ahead with industrial-scale enrichment.
His announcement kept Tehran on a collision course with the United Nations Security Council, which last month ordered it to halt all work on nuclear enrichment. Many Western countries fear that Iran is pursuing atomic weapons, not just fuel for power stations as it insists. ...the times, uk
The world’s leading powers today joined in a chorus of condemnation of Iran for advancing its atomic programme in defiance of the United Nations.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President, declared yesterday that Iran had produced its first batch of enriched uranium and would now press ahead with industrial-scale enrichment.
His announcement kept Tehran on a collision course with the United Nations Security Council, which last month ordered it to halt all work on nuclear enrichment. Many Western countries fear that Iran is pursuing atomic weapons, not just fuel for power stations as it insists. ...the times, uk
Rice Calls for 'Strong Steps' Against Iran
Denouncing Iran's successful enrichment of uranium as unacceptable to the international community, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday the U.N. Security Council must consider "strong steps" to induce Tehran to change course.
Rice also telephoned Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to ask him to reinforce demands that Iran comply with its nonproliferation requirements when he holds talks in Tehran on Friday.
While Rice took a strong line, she did not call for an emergency meeting of the Council, saying it should consider action after receiving an IAEA report by April 28. She did not elaborate on what measures the United States would support, but economic and political sanctions are under consideration.
The European Union is considering travel restrictions on Iranian officials, but White House and State Department spokesmen said what the Security Council might be asked to do was under discussion. ...ap
Denouncing Iran's successful enrichment of uranium as unacceptable to the international community, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday the U.N. Security Council must consider "strong steps" to induce Tehran to change course.
Rice also telephoned Mohamed ElBaradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to ask him to reinforce demands that Iran comply with its nonproliferation requirements when he holds talks in Tehran on Friday.
While Rice took a strong line, she did not call for an emergency meeting of the Council, saying it should consider action after receiving an IAEA report by April 28. She did not elaborate on what measures the United States would support, but economic and political sanctions are under consideration.
The European Union is considering travel restrictions on Iranian officials, but White House and State Department spokesmen said what the Security Council might be asked to do was under discussion. ...ap
My mind is a whirlwind about the times. I have the feeling that what we're seeing 'really is' how it looks. We're building up to the inevitable nuclear confrontation. I've taken to trying my best to intercede for this country, that last known bastion of Christianity. Laughable. We're now seeing groups attacking Easter, Christmas, anything having to do with Christ. It's no longer subversive. Now it's blatant hostility. These groups may still be a minority, but lets face it. The minority will rule until the end. I'm excited and disgusted all at once. Praying for Jesus to come back... praying for Him to stay just a while longer... praying for God to withhold the judgement that we DO have coming, and at the same time wishing I could see a little justice. It's all oxymoronic, ironic, and twisted. The only thing I know to do is keep studying, praying, serving the best I can, and looking up.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The Scapegoat
Leviticus 16:7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat. [a] 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.
It was Jewish custom for the priests to run the scapegoat out of town, sometimes pushing it off of a cliff so that it could not return. For the goat carrying the sins to return to camp was a VERY bad omen, for it meant that the sin was not removed from the people. The other goat was slaughtered before the people as a sin offering before God. A piece of scarlet cloth was tied to one of the horns of the altar. This, supposedly, would turn snow white once the sins of the people were far-removed and the sacrifice was accepted by God.
Matthew 27:17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
Here again we have our two goats. Bar (son of) abbas (the high father) was released to live in his sin. Jesus, the Son of the High Father, was sacrificed for our sin. The Messianic jews teach that the flow of the fluid out of Christ's side was red first, as the blood drained away, then became clear (or white) as the water came forth, signifying that God accepted this Greatest of Sacrifices. All things point to Christ.
It was Jewish custom for the priests to run the scapegoat out of town, sometimes pushing it off of a cliff so that it could not return. For the goat carrying the sins to return to camp was a VERY bad omen, for it meant that the sin was not removed from the people. The other goat was slaughtered before the people as a sin offering before God. A piece of scarlet cloth was tied to one of the horns of the altar. This, supposedly, would turn snow white once the sins of the people were far-removed and the sacrifice was accepted by God.
Matthew 27:17So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, "Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" 18For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.
19While Pilate was sitting on the judge's seat, his wife sent him this message: "Don't have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him."
20But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
Here again we have our two goats. Bar (son of) abbas (the high father) was released to live in his sin. Jesus, the Son of the High Father, was sacrificed for our sin. The Messianic jews teach that the flow of the fluid out of Christ's side was red first, as the blood drained away, then became clear (or white) as the water came forth, signifying that God accepted this Greatest of Sacrifices. All things point to Christ.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Welcome
This is the first post. May it be the first of many between friends and spiritual family! Let the discussions begin!
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